1797 Liberty Cap Half Cents : Gripped Edge

What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.):

One major variety of the 1797 Liberty Cap Half Cent (Penny) features the standard centered liberty head as depicted above and also has a gripped edge around the coin. There are no errors and the head is centered normally (unlike other varieties where it is aligned lower). This coin also features a gripped edge around the coin with irregular indentations - which is extremely rare and valuable. The image below depicts an example of what the gripped edge would look like:

Coin Value Chart: Typical Coin Prices, Values and Worth in USD based on Grade/Condition. Numismatic portion of the values last updated February 2026, precious metal portion of the values is updated live!

Good (G-4)	Very Good (VG-8)	Fine (F-12)	Very Fine (VF-20)	Extremely Fine (EF-40)	About Uncirculated (AU-50)	Uncirculated (MS-60)	Uncirculated (MS-65)	Proof (PR-65)
$109,520	$147,376	$187,751	-	-	-	-	-	-

USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1797 Liberty Cap Half Cent (Gripped Edge Variety) is Worth $147,376 in Average Condition, and more in higher condition. Click here to Learn How to use Coin Price Charts. Also, click here to Learn About Grading Coins. The Melt Value shown below is how Valuable the Coin's Metal is Worth (bare minimum value of coin). Click here to see the Melt Value of every US Coin.


MELT VALUE: $0.0961